APPARATUS TESTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 457, 12 September 1928, Page 6

APPARATUS TESTED

I “MULLARD MASTER THREE” I A few weeks ago mention was made in these columns of the “Mullard Master Three” kit. Since then I have had an opportunity, through the courtesy of Spedding, Ltd., of assembling the kit and testing out the completed set. The kit consists of high-grade components. Most comprehensive instructions and wiring diagrams are included, and anyone with no knowledge of radio can assemble the kit in a couple of hours. It is possible to use it on long or short, waves by the mere substitution of suitable coils. On the broadcast band, using dry-cell valves, I was surprised at the volume at which Auckland was received; in fact, with only the phones connected the station was head clearly all over the house.. "With a loud-speaker the volume was too ; great for comfort and had to be reduced. All New Zealand and Austra- i lian stations were also received at good loud-speaker strength. I heard 2BL Sydney and the small Christchurch station, 3ZC, in broad daylight, the latter being exceptionally loud and clear. Using the short-wave coil even more remarkable results were obtained, and in this connection I may say that I had not done a,ny short-wave work before. Despite my inexperience the first time I sat down to the set to listen to short-wave, early in the morning, I picked up PCJJ, Holland. It was at good phone strength and the announcement was perfectly clear. 2XAP, New York, came in well the next day, and the same afternoon 2FC’s short-wave transmission of the Eucharistic Congress proceedings was heard with good volume. On, other occasions this station was picked up without the least difficulty. Next day I heard SSW Chelmsford, England, make an announcement of a record aviation flight. Extreme care and very slow motion of the dials is necessary to tune in these short-wave stations, but the set will deliver the goods, and there is no reason why the merest tyro should not obtain the good results that I did. To sum up, I must say I was surprised at what the “Master Three” will do, especially in view of the fact that my aerial was a temporary one, and very inefficient at that. 3ZC CHRISTCHURCH NEW STATION’S ENTERPRISE The small Christchurch station is heard well in Auckland. The other afternoon, using a three-valve set in broad daylight, I had the station at good phone strength. Modulation was excellent. 3ZC is branching out considerably now, and proposes to broadcast on the second Tuesday of each month the service from the Anglican Cathedral. On alternate Sundays the morning services will be relayed from the Cathedral, as will also the evening services on Mondays and Thursdays. This should be greatly appreciated by listeners, for the Cathedral services are some of the finest heard south of the

line. On the new power of the station, reception should be very good. Another advance made by 3ZC must class it as a station full of enterprise. This station is making preparation for the installation of a short-wave transmitter on 50 metres, and will be ready in the near future. It is the first broadcasting station in New Zealand to be granted a licence for the purpose of short-wave transmission. Good results should ensue and will be awaited eagerly by interested listeners.